Patent GB-190423584-A (GB)
Title: Improvements in Pumping Apparatus.
Inventor: WATERHOUSE ADDISON GOODYEAR
Filed: 1904-11-01
Granted: 1905-01-19
Abstract: 23,584. Waterhouse, A. G. Nov. 1. Direct air and steam p r e s s u r e apparatus.- Three forms of apparatus for raising and forcing water are described, in the first of which steam is employed as the motive agent, in the second compressed air, and in the third either steam or compressed air. The action of the steam - operated apparatus shown in Fig. 1 is as follows :-Assuming that the vessel 1 is filled with liquid up to the level X, the upper portion containing air, the weight of liquid acting in the pipe 16 and chamber 14 will bulge the diaphragm 13 upwards and thus raise the rod 7 and open the valve 6<a> Steam is thereby admitted from the pipe 6 to the chamber 1, and the water is expelled until it reaches the level y, when the layer of air above the water escapes through the pipe 16, thus reducing the pressure below the diaphragm 13, so that the valve 6<a> closes again, and simultaneously allows the steam to come into contact with the water, so that condensation commences. The condensation of the steam is further facilitated by the entry of a spray of water from the pipe 18. A check valve 17 is provided which allows a certain amount of air to be sucked into the chamber while the vacuum is acting. The apparatus shown in Fig. 2 is adapted for use below the level of the water to be raised and is actuated by compressed air. The valve controlling the admission of the compressed air is actuated in a similar manner to the above, but in this case the pipe 16 is arranged so that no pressure acts below the diaphragm until the water has reached the level X at the top of the chamber. An injector 16<d> may be employed to facilitate the reverse action of the diaphragm. After the water has been expelled from the vessel and the valve 6<a> is closed again, the air escapes through the tubes 6<i>, 27, the latter being normally closed by a diaphragm 22, which presses upon the mouth of the tube when there is a pressure above it and opens as soon as this pressure is relieved by the closing of the valve 6<a>. A check valve 6<f> is placed between the portions of the pipe 6, which communicate with the upper and lower portions of the casing containing the diaphragm, respectively. This device also serves as a secondary means for opening the valve 6<a>, since, if the water rises in the pipe 6, it will pass out through the pipe 27 into the pipe 16 and actuate the diaphragm 13. A third form or apparatus is described consisting of a combination of the above two forms and applicable for use with either steam or air pressure. In connection with this apparatus, a device, shown in Fig. 4, is employed for first admitting a spray of water into the chamber 1 and subsequently a certain quantity of air for the purpose described above in connection with the steam-actuated apparatus. This consists of a float 30, placed near the top of the chamber, which, in its lower position, holds the valve 32 open so as to admit water from the pipe 18 to the spray, and in its upper position closes the valve 32, so that the suction in the chamber 1 is able to open the air valve 29 and admit a quantity of air.